Ireland has 'huge role' in Ukraine's future during upcoming EU presidency, MEP says
James Cox
Ireland will have a "huge role" to play in Ukraine's future with the EU presidency, an MEP has said as peace talks led by the United States continue.
Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews was in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv two weeks ago. He said people were cautiously optimistic about peace talks involving the US and Russia, but still feel they need the support of Europe.
In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Mr Andrews said: "I was in Ukraine just two weeks ago and they are excited about Trump's interest in Ukraine. They desperately want peace but they know that Europe has a crucial role to play to ensure that it's not just peace as the absence of war but peace with justice, democracy and sovereignty, the opportunity to choose their own future.
"If America was able to do this by itself then Ukraine would concede masses of territory, they would have no sovereign independence, there would be huge American profiteering from all of this, so it's clear that Europe has an incredibly important role. As desperate as they are for peace, they know it won't be delivered by the US and Russia by themselves."
Irish EU Presidency
Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July 1st to December 31st, 2026.
Mr Andrews said: "We've a huge role to play. Ireland's EU presidency next year will put us in the driving seat if funding for Ukraine is still an issue, where does Ukraine fit in the next seven-year budget? That might fall into Ireland's lap during our presidency.
"We've done big things in the past. With the presidency in 2004 we had the massive expansion of EU membership, 2026 could be one of those red letter years where we see a major expansion again.
"We could be into accession talks with Ukraine, possibly Moldova, possibly others. With Ukraine we have to be strict, clear we can't go beyond the criteria, but we have an important role to play as an honest broker."
He added: "Volodymyr Zelenskiy coming to Ireland demonstrated that notwithstanding our military non-alignment, he really respects Ireland's support over the past four years.
"It's not just about accession, there's more Ireland can do. We have to be within the boundaries of military neutrality but there is more we can do with non-lethal assistance. The Taoiseach announced more support during the visit.
"Anti-drone technology, cyberdefences, things that are non-lethal in nature. We are already supporting their demining projects, their combat care training, we really just have to push this idea of what constitutes non-lethal aid as far as we can within the boundaries of that neutrality."
Mr Andrews also said Europe will have a huge role in post-war Ukraine.
"Ukraine is suffering a massive problem around human resources, not just in the military but for the future of the economy. Population has dramatically reduced from 52 million to below 40 million. Post-war recovery isn't just about investment and money... it's also about trying to get people to come back to Ukraine and to contribute to the recovery of the economy."
He said Russian president Vladimir Putin's recent comments about Russia being "ready" for war with Europe should be a wake-up call.
Mr Andrews also said a proper peace agreement must include real guarantees over the future safety of Ukraine.
"As we know in Ireland, peace has to be more than just a stopping of the hostilities. It has to be justice, it has to be transitional justice, accountability, respect, parity of esteem, all these words and phrases we are familiar with from our own peace process.
If we are serious about this fight for their European future, it's about our future too.
"We can't expect Ukraine to accept anything less. If they choose to do that it's their sovereign right to do so, but as long as they want to protect their own national territory, we need to support them 100 per cent.
"Ukraine are fighting for our values, it's not about territory, it's an idea of democracy. It's a European future Ukraine aspired to and Russia desperately wants to prevent because of its imperialist fantasies.
"If we are serious about this fight for their European future, it's about our future too."
He added: "We're now caught up in this debate about how do we support Ukraine in the future financially? Will it be a reparation bill, will it be frozen assets, mutual debt on the European side? Whatever it is, the stakes are so high.
"Ukraine has to be aware Europe is a backstop. Let America and Russia continue their talks, hopefully something positive comes out of it, but Ukraine has the comfort to know Europe will support them financially and militarily for as long as they wish to defend their national territory."
